Plural dispensing units and toilet kit with central compartmented storage member



June 8, 1965 R. H. JONES, JR., EI'AL 3,187,757

-PLURAL DISPENSING UNITS AND TOILET KIT WITH CENTRAL COMPARTMENTEDSTORAGE MEMBER Filed Dec. 17, 1962 w a a 3/ INVENTORS:

, ILL.

United States Patent 3,187,757 PLURAL DISPENSING UNITS AND TGILET KITWITH CENTRAL COMPARTMEN'IED STORAGE MEMBER Robert H. Jones, in, andRichard B. Jones, both .I. 8: 3. Casting, Inn, RR. 1, Box 267, Hibbing,Minn.

Filed Dec. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 245,213 2 Claims. (Cl. 132-79) The presentinvention relates to a novel toilet kit and more particularly to acompact and easily carried selfcontained toilet kit having provisionsfor dispensing and making readily available toilet articles andpreparations, such as toothpaste, shaving cream, pre-shave andaftershave lotion, hair dressing and other required toilet articles suchas a comb, razor, razor blades, etc.

Generally, a mens kit for toilet articles utilized for trips consists ofa leather or composition bag or container in which some or all of thesetoilet articles are retained loose in the bag and thus can shift aboutwith the danger of becoming damaged or crushed upon impact should thebag be dropped or tightly packed in luggage which is frequently roughlyhandled in transit. Other types of kits have separate containers whichare slidably received in open pockets and capable of being shifted aboutin transit. Furthermore, either of these kits is limited to a relativelyfew of the toiletries required and, if provision were made for all thosenormally provided in the home, would be bulky or awkard to carry andwould not protect such articles or preparations which heretofore wereavailable only in fragile bottles or containers.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a menskit supplied with plural containers for quickly and effectivelydispensing common preparations such as toothpaste, shaving cream,pre-shave and after-shave lotion, hand lotion, hair dressing, etc.;which kit is compact, is easily packed and carried about and thedispensing containers are so designed as to occupy a minimum of space ina suitcase or overnight bag. These individual containers or dispensingunits are so constructed and arranged as to assure maximum protection inthe container therefor.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a generallycylindrical hollow container having a removable snap-on lid orprotective cover which provides a complete enclosure sufficiently smallthat it may be readily packed and carried in any piece of luggage. Aplurality of sealed dispensing units are detachably inserted in thecontainer for the various toilet preparations, and a compartmentalizedarea provides storage space for a razor, comb, razor blades, etc.

The present invention further comprehends a novel selfcontained menstoilet kit of compact size which may be kept in a bathroom or on adresser where it is available for use and ready for travel or packing inthe luggage for use on a trip. The individual dispensing units allclosely conform and are disposed in adjacent abutting relation so as toprevent compact unit assembly and, when assembled, prevent relativedisplacement or movement of adjoining units, yet readily removed whenempty for replacement by a similar filled receptacle or refilled.

The receptacle for housing the individual toilet containers and theseindividual receptacles are all constructed or 1 ice of any suitablenon-breakable plastic composition thereby eliminating possible breakageand spillage or damage due to impact therewith. The plastic employed forthe containers is preferably transparent or translucent whereby the usermay readily determine the supply remaining. The compartmentalizedcentral storage section may also be formed of a suitable unbreakableplastic.

Those who travel by plane, train or bus are familiar with the manner inwhich their luggage is handled and stacked with little or no regard tothe weight of the overlying luggage boxes, etc. This frequently resultsin damage to the luggage and its contents.

The present novel assembly provides effective protection andsubstantially reduces possible damage or breakage of the containers forthe toilet preparations and articles, many of which preparations are notnow carried by travelers due to their containers being susceptible ofbreakage and spillage.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a receptacleadapted to receive sealed dispensing units for the various toiletpreparations of a liquid nature or semi-pasty consistency and capable ofbeing readily and easily dispensed. This assembly will completelyeliminate the screwing and unscrewing of any bottle tops. Each sealedunit includes a pressurized dispensing mechanism with a laterally anddownwardly extending dispensing nozzle or spout which is rotatablerelative to the receptacle so that the spout may be rotated or swungradially outwardly to a convenient operative position and also inwardlyto conserve space and allow the cover to be applied or snapped on thecylindrical container. Either a pump-type dispenser for manuallypressurizing the unit or a gas pressurized unit with a suitable valveddispensing nozzle may be used.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such furtherobjects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear andare inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front isometric view of the cylindrical receptacle withthe snap-on lid or cover shown assembled in place to provide a completeenclosure for transportation or storage.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view partially in verticalcross-section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 3 and showing the relationship ofthe sealed dispensing units or containers in the cylindrical cabinet.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the receptacle or housing withthe lid broken away to show the dispensing units and the central storagearea. 7

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line44 of FIG. 3 and further showing the arrangement of the dispensing unitsand the central storage area.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the novel compartmentalized storageinsert for the receptacle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the sealed dispensingunits with its pumping mechanism which is received and housed within thecylindrical receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a view of a novel compact styptic pencil which is utilized inthe central storage area to conserve space.

Referring more particularly to the drawing in which is shown anillustrative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 discloses thecontainer or housing It] with a removable or snap-on cap or closure 11in place. Both the housing and lid are generally cylindrical hollowbodies with the housing shown as having an outwardly folded-over bead orperipheral edge 12 at its upper'open end, a cylindrical side wall 13 anda base or closed end 14. The lid or cap 11 has a closed end 15 and adepending side wall 16 terminating in an outwardlyextending annularlimiting ridge 17 and a depending edge or flange 18 which conformablyfits within the annular space defined bythe bead 12 on the cabinet; theridge 17 abutting the head 12 to form a limiting stop. The exteriorsurface of the flange 18 and the interior surface of the bead 12 mayhave suitable cooperating detent means to aid in retaining the cap inits closed position. 7

Within the housing or receptacle is an annulus or annular space formedadjacent the wall 13 of the housing to receive plural dispensing units21. Each of these units has the general shape in horizontalcross-section of a sector of the annulus and thus closely compact ornest within the annular space. The dispensing units define a centralstorage space adapted to receive a removable center section 31. Eachunit 21 has a reciprocating pumping head 22 with a laterally anddownwardly extending dispensing nozzle or spout 23 through which thecontents are ejected. The head 22 has a depending tube 24 reciprocablymounted in a bushing 25 which is secured in the unit 16. The tube 24depends down into the material to be dispensed to adjacent the bottom ofthe unit and includes the conventional dispensing or pumping mechanismto draw the toilet preparation up through the tube 24 to the spout 23when the head 22 is depressed or vertically reciprocated.

Each unit 21 has a pair of angularly spaced planar side walls 26, anouter arcuate side wall 27, an inner planar or arcuate side wall 27a, abottom 28 and a closed top 29. The unit is sealed except that thepumping unit and bushing 25 may be removably mounted for refilling theunit. Each unit contains a toilet preparation suitable for dispensingsuch as toothpaste, shaving cream, pro-shave and after-shave lotion,hand lotion, shampoo and/ or hair oil. Although these units 21 are shownas separate removable containers, it is contemplated that the varioustoilet preparations may be housed in a compartmentalized annular unitwhich is removable as a unit and provided with a central storage area.The annular unit would have a dispensing device for each compartment ofthe unit.

Not only are the depending tubes 24 mounted for reciprocation in thebushing 25, but these tubes are also rotatably mounted so that the tube24, pump head 22 and spout 23 of each unit may be rotated to swing thespout 23 from the normally inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 toradially outward dispensing position with the spout extending outwardlybeyond the wall 13 of the housing 10. Although manually actuated pumpingunits are shown, it is contemplated that gas pressurized containers withsuitable valved dispensing nozzles could be used in the units 21.

The removable center section 31 (FIG. 5) fits conformably within thecentral storage area defined by the dispensing units 21 and contains anumber of openings or compartments 32, 33, 34, '35, 36 and 37 therein.Depending walls 38 define the sides of the compartments, which wallsextend to a horizontal bottom plate 39 extending across the interior ofthe housing 10. Each of these openings and its depending side walls 38defines a storage compartment for a particular toilet grooming article.Opening 32 is a place for a pair of scissors; opening 33 is for a comb;opening 34 is forthe depending handle of a safety razor; opening 35 isfor a styptic pencil; opening 36 is for a toothbrush; and opening 37 isa place for a razor blade dispenser. If an electric razor is usedinstead of a safety razor, the central area above the removable centersection 31 and within the pumping heads 22 may accommodate the electricrazor. However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a head massager 41 ispositioned within and snapped into the lid 1i. FIG. 7 discloses acompact styptic member for the assembly having a piece of styptic 42glued on a tapered wooden handle 43. As styptic pencils usually last foryears, this compact styptic member is inexpensive and lasts for a longtime.

The plate 39 is spaced from the end 14 of the housing to provide acompartment 44 for carrying extra items such as a small electric razor;shoe polish and shine rag; cuff links, tie clasp and ring; medicine oraspirin or vitamin pills; extra razor blades, etc. A removable snap-inor press-fitted bottom 45 closes this compartment and has a mirror onthe interior surface.

The dispensing units 16 are positioned in the annulus of the housing'ltlresting on the horizontal plate 39 with the side walls 26 in abuttingrelation and thereby held from shifting movement. The various othertoilet articles are placed in their respective openings or compartmentsand the lid or cover is placed on the housing to form a closed compactcontainer assembly which is easily carried about, requires a minimum ofspace, and

makes readily available'the various toilet articles and preparations.With the lid removed, each of the spouts or nozzles 23 is adapted to beswung to its dispensing position and the particular toiletry desired isdispensed by actuating the pumping head 22.

Although this assembly has been shown and described as a compact menstoilet kit, it is contemplated that the assembly could also be used forwomens grooming aids. Thus, the containers 21 could be filled withwomens toiletries and the removable compartmentalized central storagearea 31 could be used to hold lipstick, eye makeup, files, finger nailpolish, etc.

Having thus disclosed the invention, we claim:

1. A toilet kit assembly comprising a housing having a curved side wallopen at one end and having a removable cover therefor, a plurality ofremovable dispensing units positioned in said housing in closelyabutting relation therewith, each dispensing unit having the generalform in horizontal cross section of a sector of an annulus with an outerarcuate side wall corresponding to the inner surface of the curved sidewall of the housing, a planar inner wall and angularly spaced planarside walls, the side walls of adjoining units abutting together and theinner walls of the units forming a polygonal central storage space, eachdispensing unit including a manually-actuated pressure pump dispenserhaving a rotatably mounted outwardly and downwardly extending spoutswingable between a storage. position within the confines of saidhousing and an operative position with the spout extending outwardlybeyond the housing, and a removable compartmented storage memberconformably received in said polygonal central storage space.

2. A toilet kit assembly comprising a housing having a curved sidewallopen at one end and having a removable cover therefor, a plurality ofremovable dispensing units positioned in said housing in closelyabutting relation therewith, each dispensing unit having the generalform in horizontal cross section of a sector of an annulus with an outerarcuate sidewall corresponding to the inner surface of the curved sidewall of the housing, a planar inner wall and angularly spaced planarside Walls, the side walls of adjoining units abutting together and theinner walls of the units forming a polygonal central storage space, anda removable compartmented storage member conformably received in saidpolygonalcentral storage space, said removable storage member having aplurality of longitudinally extending compartments to receive aplurality of toilet articles therein.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner3,062,411 11/62 Miles 222--143 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,132,652 5/64Gazdix 132-82 12/66 Holmes 220 -16 FOREIGN PATENTS 3/34 Sneider 13279.213,914 8/33 Australia.

4/36 Giordano 220-47 X 310,864 9/ Italy.

10 37 Hinnenkamp 22 1 661,095 11/51 Great Britain.

9/52 Grower 13280 10/53 Caretto RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examzner.

11/55 Grafii 220-16 X 10 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,187,757 June 8, 1965 Robert H, Jones, Jre et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 1, line 59, for "prevent" read present a Signed and sealed this28th day of December 1965.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

2. A TOILET KIT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A CURVED SIDE WALLOPEN AT ONE END AND HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER THEREOF, A PLURALITY OFREMOVABLE DISPENSING UNITS POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING IN CLOSELYABUTTING RELATION THEREWITH, EACH DISPENSING UNIT HAVING THE GENERALFORM IN HORIZONTAL CROSS SECTION OF A SECTOR OF AN ANNULUS WITH AN OUTERARCUATE SIDE WALL CORRESPONDING TO THE INNER SURFACE OF THE CURVED SIDEWALL OF THE HOUSING, A PLANAR INNER WALL AND ANGULARLY SPACED PLANARSIDE WALLS, THE SIDE WALLS OF ADJOINING UNITS ABUTTING TOGETHER AND THEINNER WALLS OF THE UNITS FORMING A POLYGONAL CENTRAL STORAGE SPACE, ANDA REMOVABLE COMPARTMENTED STORAGE MEMBER CONFORMABLY RECEIVED IN SAIDPOLYGONAL CENTRAL STORAGE SPACE, SAID REMOVABLE STORAGE MEMBER HAVING APLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING COMPARTMENTS TO RECEIVE APLURALITY OF TOILET ARTICLES THEREIN.